Olympic Axe Just out of Dartmouth Heavyweights' Reach

Saturday, April 10

New Haven, Conn.

9:00 am

Dartmouth College

Yale (Olympic Axe)

Olympic Axe Just out of Dartmouth Heavyweights' Reach

4/10/2010 4:36:00 PM | Men's Heavyweight Rowing

By: Dartmouth

DERBY, CONN. - In a day full of close races on the Housatonic River, the Dartmouth heavyweight rowers came up just short in all four races against Yale in the battle for the coveted Olympic Axe.

There was a light tail current but strong tailwinds from 11 to 25 mph throughout the day.

"The guys raced fiercely today, especially int he varsity, second varsity and freshman races," said head coach Topher Bordeau.

The varsity eight boat (1-1) raced an epic battle against Yale, falling just behind Yale, who finished with a time of 5:24.2, with the Big Green just 2.2 seconds behind. The crews were nearly neck-and-neck through the first 1,000 meters before Yale held roughly a four seat advantage after the turn. The Big Green was right there with the Bulldogs but could not pull ahead in the final 600 and the Bulldogs won the final sprint, crossing just under a length ahead of the Green.

The second varsity right race mirrored the first, as Yale finished with a time of 5:37.2 and the Dartmouth trailed with a time of 5:42.4. Like the varsity, Dartmouth matched Yale for the first 1,100 meters, but struggled with the course's tough conditions late in the race.

The Big Green's rookies could not get over the hump either, with the novice eight finishing in 5:45.5 behind Yale in 5:43.1. Dartmouth hit an early snag in the race, coming to a complete stop about 1:24 in, which sent the boats back to the starting line (a crew stopping in the first 1:30 of any race forces a restart).

"In the varsity race, Yale looked excellent and the Dartmouth rowers were able to trade punches with them all the way down the course," said Bordeau. "The freshmen raced with aggression and tenacity and the second varsity was closer to a good Yale crew than that boat has been in quite some time and I thought they raced well."

In the third varsity eight race, the Bulldogs defeated Dartmouth with a time of 5:41.0, ahead of the Big Green's 6:02.4.

"Overall I know the team is disappointed to have lost, but we also learned a lot today. If we can absorb the lessons of today's racing and execute at a higher level later on, the loss will have some value and we'll be better off for it," said Bordeau.

Dartmouth will be racing in Boston next weekend against Boston University and Rutgers in hopes of winning the Bill Cup.